PRE MARITAL MARRIAGE

Pre Marital Marriage

Abstract

The friendliness of a Pre maritial relationship is influenced most by the relationship quality and the difference in partners' commitment levels near the end, and by the relationship method (e.g., a sudden decision by one partner, a fight, or a discussion with a joint decision). Years after an unsuccessful pre martial relationship, a person's feelings about the ending of their relationship are influenced by the friendliness of the breakup, the passage of time, the likelihood that they will get back together with their former partner and their own coping with the breakup. Relationship dissolution occurs primarily because of dissatisfaction with the relationship and some individual partner characteristics, especially extraversion, difference in religious affiliation, and difference in substance use. Relationship progression to marriage is best predicted by age, financial considerations (income and materialism), and approval of the relationship by parents and friends. Cohabitation is important to both processes, as couples who live together are less likely to break up but also less likely to marry.

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Compatibility1

Relationship Dissolution from a Compatibility Perspective4

Exchange/ Interdependence5

Relationship Dissolution from an Exchange Perspective6

Interpersonal Processes7

Relationship Dissolution from an Interpersonal Process Perspective10

Universal Processes in Close Relationships11

Premarital Breakups12

Factors Predictive Of Relationship Dissolution13

Breakup Research15

Conclusion16

Premarital Relationship

Introduction

Premarital relationships have been the focus of a vast amount of research over the last 60 years or more (for good reviews see Surra 1990; Cate and Lloyd 1988, 1992; Cate, Levin, and Richmond 2002; Regan 2003; Surra et al. 2007). Much of this attention has focused on mate selection, especially for marriage. While most studies do not directly address relationship deterioration or dissolution, premarital relationship theories indirectly suggest that the same factors which influence relationship development will also influence relationship deterioration. This type of focus is on relationship stability. Thus, while specific research about premarital relationship dissolution is uncommon, there is a large amount of research that is important in understanding the process of courtship and mate selection.

Compatibility

Starting in the 1950s, a few researchers theorized that people choose a partner based on the degree to which they match that person on a specific trait (Schellenberg 1960; Kerckhoff 1964). In other words, they are looking for a marital partner with whom they are compatible. The idea is that a single process, such as complementary needs or similarity in some characteristic (e.g. values, physical attractiveness, or socioeconomic background) can account for most of the variability in relationship stability (which couples stay together or get married and which couples break up) (Burgess and Wallin 1954; Winch 1958; Schellenberg 1960). This approach is generally called mate selection,

While homogamy is refer to a person choosing a spouse who is similar to them. To apply the theory to premarital relationships, I use the term similarity instead of homogamy. The main argument against similarity theories is that they are too simple and do not capture the complexities of mate selection. Another criticism is that people do not always consciously choose someone similar to them; oftentimes it just happens naturally because people tend to date ...